TikTok Could Disappear Forever From The App Store

TikTok is facing the risk of disappearing permanently from Apple's App Store.

TikTok's future in the US is more uncertain than ever as Apple officially confirmed that it has removed the app from the App Store. The move comes after the US government banned TikTok over national security concerns related to the app's relationship with its Chinese parent company ByteDance.

TikTok Could Disappear Forever From The App Store Picture 1 TikTok Could Disappear Forever From The App Store Picture 1

TikTok is at risk of disappearing from the App Store forever.

Despite President Donald Trump signing an executive order allowing TikTok to resume operations for 75 days, Apple and Google have stuck to their decision to remove the app from their stores. According to a new support document released by Apple, apps developed by ByteDance, including TikTok, CapCut, Lemon8, will not be available for download or update on the App Store in the US starting January 19.

Apple said it was required to comply with local laws, specifically the Protecting Americans from Apps Controlled by Foreign Adversaries Act. Legal experts say that federal law remains in effect despite the president's executive order.

This means TikTok could disappear from the App Store permanently unless it meets strict requirements: completely cutting ties with ByteDance and being acquired by a US entity.

Currently, 60% of TikTok is owned by institutional investors such as BlackRock, General Atlantic, and Carlyle Group. The remaining 20% is owned by its founders and global employees. Whether TikTok can find its way out of this tense political climate remains an open question.